Hollinger's 2009-10 MVP ballot

We asked NBA writers from ESPN.com and ESPN The Magazine, as well as NBA analysts from ESPN, to provide their choices for NBA Most Valuable Player, ranked from 1 to 5.

Here is John Hollinger's ballot:

Rank

Player

Comment

LeBron JamesThe best player, on the best team, having one of the best seasons ever. Only questions are whether it's unanimous, and whether he can cement his status as league's top dog with a championship.

Dwight HowardThe Magic have been the league's second-best team, mostly because Howard has been the anchor of the league's top-ranked defense. He helps on offense too, simply by commanding so much double-team attention.

Dwyane WadePlayed much better in the second half after looking a bit heavy early in the season, stayed healthy and has the Heat poised for 46 or 47 wins despite lack of star cohort and wait-'til-next-year strategy.

Kevin Durant
Devastating scorer and arguably the league's most improved defender, he turned the Thunder into a 50-win team and nightly must-watch for League Pass junkies while landing third in player efficiency rating (PER).

Kobe BryantHit a ton of clutch shots for West's top-seeded team but lost steam during Lakers' bumpy stretch run. Still, he clearly outranks Dirk, Melo and Nash, among others, for fifth spot on ballot.